North American
First People's Day 2024
Celebrating our 7th. Walk
October 6th. 2024
Background about our Walks
The Portage Path Collaborative (PPC) acknowledges that these events take place on lands that have been home to many diverse nations, including the Ohio Seneca and Cayuga, Lenni Lenape (Delaware), Miami, Shawnee, Wyandot (Wendat), Ottawa (Odawa) and Ojibwe Nations. These lands were ceded in the 1805 Treaty of Fort Industry and the forced removal of tribes through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The PPC pays respect to the land and lives of Indigenous Nations past and present, and is committed to a process of continual learning, reflection, and reconciliation. [More information on land acknowledgments and ways to be in solidarity with Native nations beyond land acknowledgments can be found at: https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/].
Akron City Council in 2018 declared the first Monday in October as “North American First People’s Day,” a day to honor Indigenous history, life, and culture. It was extended to the entire county in April 2019 by the Summit County Council. The initiative was prompted by students at The Lippman School of Akron, which has a longstanding exchange relationship with the Northern Cheyenne Nation of Montana.
Students from Lippman, Portage Path CLC and the Cheyenne Nation joined together in 2016 to create a web- based mobile app that provides extensive information about the Indian trail, including its history and the natural world that it traverses. The app can be accessed at www.walkportagepath.com.
The Portage Path Collaborative includes The Summit County Historical Society, The Lippman School, Summit Metro Parks, Akron Public Schools, the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Stewards for Historic Preservation and The University of Akron Institute for Human Science and Culture/ Cummings Center for the History of Psychology. Two individuals, La Donna Blue Eye, a member of the Choctaw Nation and Akron artist Chuck Ayers are also members of the group.
A brochure outlining the historic trail and the history of Native peoples who traveled the Portage Path has been published and is free and available at the Historical Society, Metro Parks’ F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, and the Institute for Human Science & Culture (located inside the Cummings Center).
The sculpture of a Native American portaging a canoe was designed and sculpted by Peter B. Jones who resides and works on the Alleghany Indian Reservation near Salamanca, New York. He graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe in 1965 and has been honored with national awards recognizing his lifetime commitment to perpetuating Haudenosaunee traditions and to restore and pass on ancestral knowledge and traditions, connecting Native peoples to their greatest assets.
The mission of the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio is supported by the operation of the Food Truck and strengthens NAICCO’s community-driven initiatives – social development, economic development, and cultural restoration/preservation.
Schedule of This Year's Events
September 1-November 30 Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree The 61st Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree runs September 1 through November 30. This year’s Fall Hiking Spree theme is Honoring Indigenous Culture. The park district will explore stories, past and present, of the Indigenous Peoples who are part of the living landscape of the parks. For information about the Fall Hiking Spree, including trails and locations, visit hikingspree.summitmetroparks.org.
To participate, complete at least eight designated trails between September 1 and November 30. First-year hikers earn a hiking staff and shield. Returning hikers earn a shield. Spree rewards are FREE to Summit County residents. Out-of-county residents pay to receive their hiking rewards ($10 for first-year hikers, $5 for returning hikers).
Other events of note are below. More information can be found in our Program & Events Calendar at https://www.summitmetroparks.org/ProgramsAndEvents.aspx.
Friday September 6, 6:00-8:00p.m FA Seiberling Nature Realm Visitor’s Center
BEADING WORKSHOP
Discover the ancient art of beadwork with Indigenous Artist LaDonna BlueEye. Participants will receive a brief introduction to Indigenous beadwork and hands-on training to learn how to bead a rosette using ladder stitch. Your rosette may then be displayed as created, or you can find your own use for this unique art, like a necklace or keychain. Participants must have the dexterity to use a needle, thread, and either Size 8° (2.5mm) or Size 10° (2.0mm) beads. Cost: $15. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND BEGINS ONLINE 8/28: Register here.
Saturday September 7, 6:00-8: 00p.m FA Seiberling Nature Realm Visitor’s Center
BEADING WORKSHOP
Discover the ancient art of beadwork with Indigenous Artist LaDonna BlueEye. Participants will receive a brief introduction to Indigenous beadwork and hands-on training to learn how to bead a rosette using ladder stitch. Your rosette may then be displayed as created, or you can find your own use for this unique art, like a necklace or keychain. Participants must have the dexterity to use a needle, thread, and either Size 8° (2.5mm) or Size 10° (2.0mm) beads. Cost: $15. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND BEGINS ONLINE 8/28: Register here.
Saturday September 14, 7:00-8: 00p.m FA Seiberling Nature Realm Visitor’s Center
INDIGENOUS STORIES AROUND THE FIRE
Enjoy s’mores while learning about some of the Indigenous Tribal Nations that lived in this region from the mid-1700s to 1800s, along with stories that are essential to their cultures.
Sunday, October 6, 10:30-12:00 pm History of the Portage Path and Artist Talk
Summit Metro Parks will present a walk guided by a Summit Metro Parks archaeologist. Participants will learn about the history of this vital link between North American waterways and enjoy a talk at the northern terminus by artist Peter Jones (Onondaga/Seneca). Jones created the statues of the portaging American Indian which can be seen at both the northern and southern terminus of the Portage Path. The walk will begin at 11:30 at the Big Bend parking area in Sand Run Metro Park, 1337 Merriman Rd. Jones will be available at noon at the statue located at Portage Path and Merriman Road. Parking is available in nearby commercial lots.
Sunday October 6, 1:30p.m-3 p.m.
The seventh annual Portage Path Walk will take place on Sunday October 6, 2024. A one-kilometer walk will begin at the vacant lot directly across the street from the Portage Path CLC, where informational graphics and an informational table about the historical context of the path. The walk will be led by members of the Northern Cheyenne nation who will be drumming and dressed in regalia and end at the John Brown House, 514 Diagonal Road. There will be a program at 2:00p.m. that will include drumming and singing. The Society’s Museum will be available for walk-through tours.
Thursday, October 10, 6-8:00 p.m. Akron Art Museum Native Film Screening: Smoke Signals (1998)
Come enjoy the critically acclaimed indie darling, Smoke Signals on the big screen here in the Museum Lobby. Art activities and light refreshments are available for purchase before the film. Registration requested. FREE.
Saturday, October 12, 2:00p.m Teacher Workshop Akron Art Museum Native Ledger Art
Join us for a day of hands-on Native Arts Education. Participants will learn about the tradition of ledger art with Northern Cheyenne Artist Instructor, Alaina Buffalo Spirit. Registration for the workshop is $15 and includes gallery admission, supplies, and light refreshments. Professional development paperwork to submit to their LPDCs upon request.
October 1-31, 2024 Akron Summit County Library Community Read and Poetry Workshops
Community Read: Barbara Kingslover’s book The Bean Trees will be discussed a various branches.
Poetry: A teaching artist from KSU’s Wick Poetry Center leads participants through an expressive writing workshop on the themes of home and creating a sense of belonging. All experience levels welcome.
Singing. The Society’s historic museum will be available for walk-through tours.
